India’s largest robotics competition with the participation of 60 teams
Pune: The FIRST Tech Challenge India Championship 2024-25, the largest robotics competition for school and junior college students in India, was inaugurated with great enthusiasm at the Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Boxing Stadium, Mhalunge, Pune. A total of 60 teams from across India, along with international teams from Kazakhstan, Sri Lanka, and the UAE, are participating in this prestigious event.
Key Highlights from the Inauguration Ceremony
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Dr. Siddharth Jabade, Vice Chancellor of Vishwakarma University, Padma Shri Pramod Kale (former Director, ISRO), Vishwanath Sastry and Pragati Chauhan from Circana, Amit Sawarkar from RTX, Vikas Sawhney from Bajaj Auto Ltd., Mahesh Masurkar from John Deere, Sajit Chakingal from TMF, and other dignitaries from the educational and industrial sectors.
During the inauguration, Dr. Siddharth Jabade stated, “Students who participate in the FIRST Tech Challenge India Championship tend to perform better academically as it helps them develop self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills. From this year, Vishwakarma University will offer scholarships to students participating and volunteering in the event.”
Vishwanath Sastry from Circana added, “As a global leader in data, analytics, and innovation, Circana is excited to support the FIRST Tech Challenge India Championship 2024-25. This event focuses on creativity, collaboration, and sustainable solutions, shaping the future of technology. Our partnership strengthens our commitment to giving back to the community and empowering the next generation.”
Competition Theme and Format
This year’s competition theme is ‘Dive’ Powered by Qualcomm, with the game challenge titled ‘Into the Deep’ Powered by RTX. Students have built robots using their STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) skills to explore life beneath the ocean’s surface.
Each match in the competition lasts 2 minutes and 30 seconds and is based on the alliance team format. High-ranking teams, after qualification matches, select their alliance teams to compete in the elimination rounds. The final match will take place on March 2, 2025, and the winning team will get the opportunity to represent India at the FIRST World Championship in Houston, USA, from April 15-19, 2025.
Diversity and Inclusion
This year’s competition showcases a diverse range of participants, including teams from rural schools, state-run schools, and international institutions. Notably, the event features a team from a school for hearing-impaired students and a team from Signal School in Mumbai. This highlights the competition’s focus on inclusivity, accessibility, and equal opportunities for all students.
Support and Sponsorships
Each participating team was provided with a robotics kit by the organizers. While the competition required knowledge of mechanics and electronics, mentors guided the students in understanding the theme and building their robots.
To encourage broader participation, Qualcomm, John Deere, Dow, RTX, Bajaj Auto Ltd, and InfinityX STEM Foundation—a non-profit organization—sponsored 20 robotics kits for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Importance of the Competition
The FIRST Tech Challenge India Championship 2024-25 is more than just a competition; it inspires students to pursue careers in technology while fostering teamwork, problem-solving skills, and technical expertise. The event also encourages students to embrace new ideas and prepares them to advance in the fields of technology, engineering, and innovation.